Sept. 23, 2012
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – In the battle of two CAA teams ranked in the top 10, The No. 9 Old Dominion University field hockey team came out on top against No. 8 Northeastern on Sunday afternoon at Boston College Field Hockey Stadium, 2-1.
The win is the fourth against a ranked foe this season for the Lady Monarchs and their second victory over a team ranked in the top 10. On the season, ODU has played seven ranked teams (five of which were in the top 10) in their nine games and all seven have been away from home.
ODU got on the board as they took advantage in transition when senior Kimberly Oakes, who was wide open in front of the cage, put it in on a great cross from senior Maartje van Rijswijk at the 18:51 mark to give the Lady Monarchs the 1-0 early lead.
Northeastern (7-2, 1-1) responded midway through the first half off a penalty corner when Nicky Graham roped a pass from Crystal Poland 10 yards out on the right side past redshirt senior goalkeeper Marla Petriello to tie the game.
Just before half, Old Dominion (6-3, 2-0) converted on a penalty corner as the initial shot by freshman Sarah Breen was deflected in by fellow freshman Celine Marquet past Northeastern goalkeeper Lizzie Priest to give ODU the 2-1 lead.
The Huskies pushed late and pulled Priest from the goal but could not convert despite having the 8-4 advantage in penalty corners. Shots were even at nine for both teams. Priest had two saves for NU while Petriello had four for ODU and her record improved to 4-1 this season.
After starting the 2012 season with eight of their first nine contests on the road, Old Dominion finishes the season with eight of their final 10 games at home beginning with a six-game homestand on Friday, Sept. 28 when they host Richmond at 5 p.m. at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
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